Totes for bottles

ABSTRACT

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a carrier for transporting a bottle or bottles, is provided. The carrier includes a tote having a non-rigid front and rear panel secured to one another along a right side terminal edge, a left side terminal edge and a bottom terminal edge to thereby define a pocket having an open top. A contact line is provided between the right side terminal edge and the left side terminal edge to divide the pocket into a first and a second pocket. The bottom terminal edge is scalloped such that each of the first and second pockets is in operative association with a lobe of the scalloped bottom terminal edge, wherein the tote is fabricated from neoprene.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Utility applicationSer. No. 11/676,587 filed on Feb. 20, 2007 which is a continuation ofU.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10/816,676 filed on Dec. 12, 2006, theentire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to portable bottle carriers and, moreparticularly, to tote bags suitable for carrying at least one bottle ofwine.

2. Background of Related Art

Heretofore, when carrying wine bottles in a paper bag, sack or the like,the glass wine bottles, unless restrained or held separated in the bag,could jostle against each other with the result that one or more bottlesmay break. Even if the bag is carefully handled to prevent breakage ofthe bottles, the bottles still may strike against each other such that aringing or other irritating sound is produced. Moreover, the relativelythin nature of the paper bag or sack renders the bottles containedtherein vulnerable to breakage as the result of the paper bag or sackstriking and/or banging against another object. In addition, paper bagsor sacs are incapable of independently retaining the bottle therein,thereby resulting in bottles slipping out of or otherwise disassociatingfrom the paper bag or sack upon transport thereof.

Conventional bags and/or sacs are incapable of regulating and/ormaintaining the temperature of the bottle retained therein for anextended period of time. In addition, conventional bags and/or sacs areincapable of protecting and/or otherwise cushioning the bottle againstimpacts and the like.

A need therefore exists for a portable wine bottle carrier which reducesthe tendency of breakage of the bottles being transported therein, whichprevents the bottles from striking one another so as to eliminate anyirritating sounds resulting therefrom, and/or which reduces the tendencyfor bottles to become disassociated therefrom. Such carrier desirablyshould be conveniently totable and desirably should be aestheticallypleasing in appearance.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to portable bottle carriers (i.e., totebags) for carrying at least one bottle therein, preferably a bottle ofwine therein.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a tote for carryingand transporting a bottle or bottles, is provided. The tote includes afront panel defining a right side, a left side, a bottom, and a topterminal edge, and a rear panel defining a right side, a left side, abottom, and a top terminal edge. The rear panel is secured to the frontpanel along at least the right side, the left side and the bottomterminal edges. The front and rear panels define a pocket therebetween.The front and/or rear panel is fabricated from an elastic, insulative,impact absorbent material. The tote has a substantially flattenedcondition when no bottle is disposed in the pocket thereof.

Preferably, the front and rear panels are fabricated from neoprene. Thefront and rear panels may have a thickness of between about 3 mm toabout 5 mm. Preferably, the neoprene is sandwiched between layers ofstretch nylon.

The bottom terminal edges of the front and rear panels are arcuate whenthe tote is in the flattened condition. Accordingly, when a bottle is atleast partially inserted into the opening between the front and rearpanels, the arcuate bottom terminal edge thereof flattens.

Preferably, the front and rear panels are secured to one another by atleast one of stitching, adhering, welding, and stapling. Desirably, atleast one of the front and rear panels includes an aperture formedtherein. The upper terminal edges of the front and rear panels may bearcuate.

In one embodiment, the front panel and the rear panel are secured to oneanother along a contact line positioned between the right side terminaledges and the left side terminal edges thereof. The contact line dividesthe pocket between the front and rear panels into a first pocket and asecond pocket. The bottom terminal edges of each of the front and rearpanels is scalloped. Accordingly, a first lobe of the bottom terminaledge is in operative association with the first pocket and a second lobeof the bottom terminal edge is in operative association with the secondpocket.

In another embodiment, the tote further includes a third panel defininga right side, a left side, a bottom, and a top terminal edge.Accordingly, the right side terminal edge of the front panel is securedto the left side terminal edge of the rear panel, and a portion of thebottom terminal edge of the front panel is secured to the bottomterminal edge of the rear panel; the right side terminal edge of therear panel is secured to the left side terminal edge of the thirdpanels, and a portion of the bottom terminal edge of the rear panel issecured to a portion of the bottom terminal edge of the third panel; andthe right side terminal edge of the third panel is secured to the leftside terminal edge of the front panel, and a portion of the bottomterminal edge of the third panel is secured to a portion of the bottomterminal edge of the front panel. The front, rear and third panels maybe secured to one another along a contact line substantially centrallylocated between the right and left side terminal edges of each of thefront, the rear and the third panels.

In yet another embodiment, the tote includes a first front paneldefining a right side, a left side, a bottom, and a top terminal edge,and a first rear panel defining a right side, a left side, a bottom, anda top terminal edge. The first rear panel is secured to the first frontpanel along at least the right side, the left side and the bottomterminal edges. The first front and first rear panels are secured to oneanother along a first contact line positioned between the right sideterminal edges and the left side terminal edges thereof. The firstcontact line defines a first pocket and a second pocket between thefirst front panel and the first rear panel. The bottom terminal edge ofeach of the first front and first rear panels is scalloped, wherein afirst lobe of the bottom terminal edge is in operative association withthe first pocket and a second lobe of the bottom terminal edge is inoperative association with the second pocket.

In the present embodiment, the tote further includes a second frontpanel defining a right side, a left side, a bottom, and a top terminaledge, and a second rear panel defining a right side, a left side, abottom, and a top terminal edge, the second rear panel being secured tothe second front panel along at least the right side, the left side andthe bottom terminal edges. The second front and second rear panels aresecured to one another along a second contact line positioned betweenthe right side terminal edges and the left side terminal edges thereof.The second contact line defines a third pocket and a fourth pocketbetween the second front panel and the second rear panel. The bottomterminal edges of each of the second front and second rear panels isscalloped, wherein a first lobe of the bottom terminal edge is inoperative association with the third pocket and a second lobe of thebottom terminal edge is in operative association with the fourth pocket.Preferably, the first contact line is secured to the second contactline.

The tote may further include a tote strap for selectively engaging thetote. The tote strap includes a hook member for selectively engaging asupport structure; and a loop extending from the hook member. The loophas sufficient length to be fed through the hand hold of the tote andfor the hook member to then be fed through the loop.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tote forcarrying and transporting a bottle or bottles is provided. The toteincludes a front panel defining a perimetral edge; and a rear paneldefining a perimetral edge. The front panel is secured to the rear panelalong at least a portion of the perimetral edge so as to define a pockettherebetween and an opening into the pocket. The front and rear panelsare fabricated from an elastic, insulative, impact absorbent material.

The front and rear panels are preferably fabricated from neoprenelaminated between two layers of stretch nylon. The front and rear panelsare secured to one another along a contact line extending in a directionorthogonal to the opening. The contact line divides the pocket into afirst and a second pocket, wherein the terminal edge opposite theopening is scalloped such that each of the first and second pockets isin operative association with a lobe of the scalloped terminal edge.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a carrier fortransporting a bottle or bottles, is provided. The carrier includes atote having a non-rigid front and rear panel secured to one anotheralong a right side terminal edge, a left side terminal edge and a bottomterminal edge to thereby define a pocket having an open top. A contactline is provided between the right side terminal edge and the left sideterminal edge to divide the pocket into a first and a second pocket. Thebottom terminal edge is scalloped such that each of the first and secondpockets is in operative association with a lobe of the scalloped bottomterminal edge, wherein the tote is fabricated from neoprene.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tote according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure shown in a first condition;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tote of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the tote of FIGS. 1 and 2, in a secondcondition including a pair of bottles retained therein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tote of FIGS. 1-3, while in thesecond condition;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the tote of FIGS. 1-4, while inthe second condition, with a flap thereof turned down;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a tote according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tote according to yet anotherembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tote according to still anotherembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a tote strap for use in connection withany of the totes of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now in detail to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-5, abottle tote constructed in accordance with the present disclosure isdesignated generally by reference numeral 100. Tote 100 includes a frontpanel 102 and a rear panel 104 operatively secured to one another alonga number of sides thereof. Preferably, each panel 102, 104 includes aright side edge 102 a, 104 a, respectively, a left side edge 102 b, 104b, respectively, a bottom edge 102 c, 104 c, respectively, and a topedge 102 d, 104 d, respectively.

Preferably, front panel 102 is secured to rear panel 104 along at leastthree side edges thereof, namely, right side edge 102 a, 104 a, leftside edge 102 b, 104 b, and bottom edge 102 c, 104 c. Front panel 102 ispreferably secured to rear panel 104 by stitching along right side edges102 a, 104 a, left side edges 102 b, 104 b and bottom edges 102 c, 104c. While stitching is preferred, it is envisioned that front panel 102can be secured to rear panel 104 by adhering, welding, stapling and thelike. Top edges 102 d, 104 d are preferably separated from one anotherto define an opening 106 into tote 100. Desirably, front panel 102 andrear panel 104 are secured (e.g., stitched, glued, welded, etc.) to oneanother along a contact line 108 located between right side edges 102 a,104 a and left side edges 102 b, 104 b.

Contact line 108 is preferably longitudinally oriented to thereby definea pair of bottle receiving pockets or cavities 110 a, 110 b. While it isdesirably that contact line 108 be centrally positioned between rightside edge 102 a, 104 a, and left side edge 102 b, 104 b, to therebydefine pockets 110 a, 110 b having substantially the same dimensions, itis envisioned and within the scope of the present disclosure for contactline 108 to be positioned closer to right side edge 102 a, 104 a or leftside edge 102 b, 104 b, to thereby define pockets 110 a, 110 b havingdifferent dimensions from one another.

Top edges 102 d, 104 d of front and rear panels 102, 104 can be roundedwherein top edges 102 d, 104 d commence where right side edges 102 a,104 a and left side edges 102 b, 104 b terminate, thereby defining afront flap 112 and a rear flap 114, respectively. Bottom edges 102 c,104 c of front and rear panels 102, 104 are preferably scalloped,defined by a pair of lobes 116, 118. Preferably, each pocket 110 a, 110b of tote 100 is in registration with a respective lobe 116, 118 (i.e.,contact line 108 is axially aligned with the intersection of lobes 116,118). As will be discussed in greater detail below, lobes 116, 118 allowtote 100 to: 1) store flat when not in use; and 2) stand upright whenbottles are fully inserted therein.

Each panel 102, 104 of tote 100 is preferably fabricated from neoprenerubber, more preferably, CR+ (100 %) neoprene rubber having stretchnylon laminated to the front and back thereof. Each panel 102, 104preferably has a thickness of between about 3 mm to about 5 mm. Theneoprene rubber material acts as a shock absorber to dissipate and/orotherwise absorb forces which may impact on tote 100. Fabrication oftote 100 from neoprene rubber material allows for tote 100 to befabricated with no moving parts or separate parts/hardware and yet atthe same time substantially grip the bottle retained therein. Since theneoprene rubber material has a degree of resiliency, tote 100 canaccommodate receipt of and retention of bottles of varying sizes (e.g.,bottles having uniform and/or non-uniform diameters along the lengththereof, bottles of various diameters and non-circular bottles). Theneoprene rubber material also provides tote 100 with a degree ofinsulation greater that a tote fabricated from paper or the like andthereby allows tote 100 to better maintain the temperature of thebottle(s) retained therein.

Desirably, front panel 102 and rear panel 104 includes an aperture 120formed therein defining a hand hold. Preferably, if tote 100 isfabricated from a neoprene rubber material, the hand hold is providedwith a degree of comfort for the carrier.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, tote 100 has a first configuration whereintote 100 is substantially flat, i.e., front panel 102 is at leastsubstantially in contact with rear panel 104. In this manner, when tote100 is not in use, tote 100 can advantageously be stored in asubstantially flat configuration, rolled-up, or otherwise manipulated asneeded.

As seen in FIGS. 3-5, tote 100 has a second configuration wherein tote100 substantially conforms to the shape and/or outer contour of a bottle“B” placed and/or inserted into pockets 110 a, 110 b. When one bottle“B”, preferably two bottles “B”, is/are fully inserted into one or eachcavity 110 a, 110 b, front panel 102 is separated from rear panel 104and the respective lobe 116, 118, advantageously flattens to allow tote100 to stand upright.

Since tote 100 is preferably fabricated from neoprene and has a degreeof elasticity, tote 100 substantially conforms to the contour and/orshape of bottles “B” and effectively grips bottles “B”, therebyeffectively reducing the tendency for bottles “B” to “slip out off”pockets 110 a, 110 b. In addition, the neoprene provides tote 100 with adegree of cushion thereby absorbing impacts and shocks which wouldotherwise be transmitted to bottles “B”. For example, the location ofcontact line 108 and the size of pockets 110 a, 110 b may be selected toaccommodate bottles “B” which are sized to hold at least 500 ml, 750 ml,1L and 1.5L of fluid.

Additionally, contact line 108 separates pocket 110 a from pocket 110 b,thereby eliminating and/or reducing the tendency of the adjacent bottles“B” from contacting and/or otherwise banging into one another, therebyreducing the chances of breakage and reducing the incidents of clanking.

Moreover, the neoprene construction acts like an insulator to aid in themaintenance of bottles “B” in a chilled condition if desired. Ifdesired, one pocket 110 a, 110 b can contain a chilled bottle “B” whilethe other pocket 110 a, 110 b can contain an un-chilled bottle “B”. Inthis manner, the chilled bottle will remain relatively colder and theun-chilled bottle will remain relatively warmer.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a tote in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present disclosure is generally designated as 200. Tote 200 issubstantially similar to tote 100 except that tote 200 includes a singlepocket (not shown), for retaining a single bottle therein. Similar totote 100, tote 200 has a first configuration in which tote 200 issubstantially flat and a second configuration in which tote 200substantially conforms to the contour of the bottle placed therein. Whenthe bottle is fully inserted into the pocket of tote 200, the bottom oftote 200 becomes substantially flat, allowing for tote 200 to stand inan upright condition.

Turning now to FIG. 7, a tote in accordance with yet another embodimentof the present disclosure is generally designated as 300. Tote 300 issubstantially similar to tote 100 and will only be discussed in detailto the extent necessary to identify differences in constriction andoperation.

Tote 300 includes a first panel 302, a second panel 304, and a thirdpanel 305 operatively secured to one another along a number of sidesthereof. Preferably, each panel 302, 304 and 305 includes a side edge302 a, 304 a and 305 a, respectively, a side edge 302 b, 304 b and 305b, respectively, a bottom edge 302 c, 304 c and 305 c, respectively, anda top edge 302 d, 304 d and 305 d, respectively.

Preferably, first panel 302 is secured (e.g., stitched, adhered, welded,etc.) to second panel 304 along at least two side edges thereof, namely,side edge 302 b, 304 a, and one half of bottom edge 302 c, 304 c. Secondpanel 304 is secured to third panel 305 along at least two side edgesthereof, namely, side edge 304 b and 305 a respectively, and one half ofbottom edge 304 c 305 c, respectively. Third panel 305 is secured tofirst panel 302 along at least two side edges thereof, namely, side edge305 b and 302 a, and one half of bottom edge 305 c, 302 c. First, secondand third panels 302, 304 and 305 are preferably secured to one anotheralong a contact line 308 substantially centrally located. Contact line308 is preferably longitudinally oriented to thereby define three bottlereceiving pockets or cavities 310 a, 310 b and 310 c. Tote 300 isessentially in the form of a tad.

Turning now to FIG. 8, a tote in accordance with still anotherembodiment of the present disclosure is generally designated as 400.Tote 400 is substantially similar to tote 100 and will only be discussedin detail to the extent necessary to identify differences inconstruction and operation.

Tote 400 is essentially a pair of totes 100 operatively secured to oneanother. In this manner, tote 400 includes two pairs of or four bottlereceiving pockets or cavities 410 a-410 d. While four flaps 412 a-412 dare shown, providing the contents of tote 400 with the maximum amount ofprotection, it is envisioned and contemplated that any number of flaps412 are possible.

Similar to tote 100, tote 400 has a first configuration in which tote400 is substantially flat, as seen in FIG. 8, and a second configurationin which tote 400 substantially conforms to the contour of bottlesplaced therein. When bottles are fully inserted into pockets 410 a-410 dof tote 400, the bottom of tote 400 becomes substantially flat, allowingfor tote 400 to stand in an upright condition. Tote 400 can essentiallybe considered a quad tote.

As seen in FIG. 9, a tote strap 500 can be provided for attaching and/orotherwise connecting any of totes 100-400 to a rolling travel bag, ashopping cart, an vehicle or the like. Tote strap 500 includes a hookmember 502 fabricated from a rigid material, e.g., rigid plastics,composites, metals and the like. Tote strap 500 further includes a loop504 extending from hook member 502. Loop 504 preferably has a lengthsufficient for loop 504 to be fed through hand hold 120 of tote 100 andthen hook member 502 is fed through loop 504 and pulled or cinched tothereby tighten loop 504. Hook member 502 can then be connected to therolling baggage, the shopping cart, the vehicle or the like.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to theembodiments disclosed herein. For example, while totes for 1-4 bottleshave been shown and described, it is envisioned that totes for anynumber of bottles can be provided by combining any of the totesdisclosed herein. Accordingly, the above description should not beconstrued as limiting, but merely as an exemplification of preferredembodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modificationswithin the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

1. A tote for carrying and transporting a bottle or bottles, the totecomprises: a front panel defining a right side, a left side, a bottom,and a top terminal edge; a rear panel defining a right side, a leftside, a bottom, and a top terminal edge, the rear panel being secured tothe front panel along at least the right side, the left side and thebottom terminal edges, the top terminal edges of the front and rearpanels are arcuate and define an opening therebetween runninguninterruptedly between the right and left sides of the secured panels,the front and rear panels defining a pocket therebetween dimensioned toreceive at least one bottle through the opening, wherein at least one ofthe front and rear panels are fabricated from an elastic, insulative,impact absorbent material, and wherein the tote has a substantiallyflattened condition when no bottle is disposed in the pocket thereof;and wherein the top terminal edges bridge upper portions of the securedleft and right sides of the front and rear panels, respectively, thefront and rear panels having respective flaps each bounded by the topterminal edge, the flaps each being foldable over a panel regionextending between the upper portions of the respective secured left andright sides and at least one of the flaps having an aperture formedtherein.
 2. The tote according to claim 1, wherein the front and rearpanels are fabricated from neoprene which is sandwiched between layersof stretch nylon.
 3. The tote according to claim 2, wherein the frontand rear panels have a thickness of between about 3 mm to about 5 mm. 4.(canceled)
 5. The tote according to claim 1, wherein the bottom terminaledges of the front and rear panels are arcuate when the tote is in aflattened condition.
 6. The tote according to claim 5, wherein when abottle is at least partially inserted into the pocket through theopening between the front and rear panels, the arcuate bottom terminaledge thereof flattens.
 7. The tote according to claim 6, wherein thefront and rear panels are secured to one another by at least one ofstitching, adhering, welding, and stapling.
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)10. The tote according to claim 1, wherein the front panel and the rearpanel are secured to one another along a contact line positioned betweenthe right side terminal edges and the left side terminal edges thereof;and wherein the contact line divides the pocket between the front andrear panels into a first pocket and a second pocket.
 11. (canceled) 12.The tote according to claim 10, wherein the bottom terminal edges ofeach of the front and rear panels is scalloped, wherein a first lobe ofthe bottom terminal edge is in operative association with the firstpocket and a second lobe of the bottom terminal edge is in operativeassociation with the second pocket. 13-19. (canceled)
 20. A carrier fortransporting a bottle or bottles, the carrier comprises: a tote having anon-rigid front and rear panel each having respective perimetral edges,respectively secured to one another along a right side terminal edge, aleft side terminal edge and a bottom terminal edge to thereby define apocket having a continuous open top between the left and right sideterminal edges formed by a top side terminal edge on each said front andrear panel, wherein a contact line is provided between the right sideterminal edge and the left side terminal edge to divide the pocket intoa first and a second pocket, wherein the bottom terminal edge isscalloped such that each of the first and second pockets is in operativeassociation with a lobe of the scalloped bottom terminal edge, whereinthe tote is fabricated from neoprene; and wherein the top terminal edgesbridge upper portions of the secured left and right sides of each of thefront and rear panels respectively, the front and rear panels havingrespective flaps each bounded by the top terminal edge, the flaps beingfoldable over a panel region extending between the upper portions of therespective secured front and rear panels, and at least one of the flapshaving an aperture formed therein.